Cover and mounting for vents and the like



June 7, 1938. D. J. MCINTYRE COVER AND MOUNTING FOR VENTS AND THE LIKE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed 001:. 25. 1937 DJ. McINTYRE June 7, 1938. D. J. MCINTYRE I 2,119,923

COVER AND MOUNTING FOR VENTS AND THE LIKE Filed Oct. 25, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 DJ. MQINTYRE Patented June 7, 1938 UNITED STATES FATENT OFFICE COVER AND MOUNTING FOR VEN'I'S AND THE LIKE 8 Claims.

This invention appertains to vent constructions, and more especially, to covers and mountings therefor to be used with air inlets of sewer laterals which include a main house trap.

The primary object of the invention is to provide an improved vent cover and mounting of simple, compact and rugged construction, which includes provision for preventing the entrance of sticks, stones and other foreign matter which would tend to clog the vent and/or house trap if permitted to enter the vent pipe.

Another object of the invention is to provide a means for facilitating the mounting of the vent cover on the vent pipe in such position that the vent cover is normally spaced a predetermined distance from the end of the vent pipe, thereby positively assuring the free entrance of air through the vent cover into the vent pipe.

Still another object of the invention is to provide means for reinforcing the vent cover against forces tending to crush the same against the upper end of the vent pipe, and in its preferred embodiment, I attain this end by the same means which serves to normally space the vent cover from the end of the vent pipe, as previously referred to.

In preventing sticks and stones from entering into the vent pipe through the vent cover, I pref erably employ a plurality of bafile bars depending from the bottom side of the vent cover and having oppositely inclined laterally projecting surfaces arranged at diiferent elevations relative to and below the usual elongated slots formed in the cover plate, such arrangement affording a maximum degree of protection against the passage of sticks and stones through the vent cover, while at the same time assuring compactness of form with a minimum degree of obstruction of the passage of air through the cover plate.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be hereinafter described and the novel features thereof defined by the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a vent cover constructed according to my invention;

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view taken approximately on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of a collar constitut- 50 mg a mounting for the vent cover shown in Figures'l and 2; and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view illustrating the application of the mounting collar and vent cover to the upper extremity of a conventional vent pipe.

Like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several figures of the drawings.

In the usual plumbing system, the waste matter is ordinarily conducted through a lateral conduit 5 running below ground from the building to the sewer main which is normally located in the street below the street level. It has been the common practice to provide a main trap intermediate the sewer main and the building, such trap being vented by extending a vent pipe upwardly from the trap to the ground level, or to a point slightly above the ground level. This vent pipe ordinarily is located so that it projects upwardly through the sidewalk, or at some point between the sidewalk and the curb line. Generally, the arrangement is prescribed by sanitary regulations or codes, and these regulations or codes ordinarily require the use of a vent pipe having a diameter of at least four inches, and a cover for the upper 20 end of the vent pipe which is so constructed as to provide an air space through which air may enter the vent pipe, and the area of which air space is not less than the area of the four inch vent pipe. I am aware that various vent pipe covers fully complying with these regulations have been employed, and in many instances, provision has been made to prohibit the entrance of sticks, stones and other foreign matter into the vent pipe through the cover. In these latter cases, however, the covers have not proven to be practical largely because of their complicacy and/or increased cost. I am not aware of any type of cover having provision for preventing the passage of sticks and stones therethrough, which would fulfill the usual requirement for the free passage of air therethrough without necessarily substantially increasing the size of the cover over and above the standard sizes commonly employed without regard to the clogging protection feature above referred to. Size is, of course, of considerable importance in devices of this kind, since the appearance, strength, cost, etc. are directly affected thereby. The larger the size of the cover, themoreunsightlyit becomes,having in mind that the covers are exposed to view. Moreover, if the vent pipe projects above the ground level, as many times is the case, a large cover would increase the hazard produced thereby through reason of creating a stumbling block over which children or pedestrians might trip.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, l designates generally my improved vent cover which preferably has the form of a circular plate having a plurality of elongated slots 2 formed therein in spaced relation to each other and running substantially parallel across the plate. As in the usual'vent cover, these slots 2 are of suflicient size that the total area thereof ;is at least as great as, if not greater than, the

cross-sectional area of a standard four inch vent pipe. At diametrically opposite points in the cov- 7 meansof which the cover plateis mounted on the" upper end of the vent pipe, generally designated 6, as shown in Figure 4.

Between the slots 2 in the cover plate I, the I material of the cover plate, which is preferably.

, composed of metal, has the form of bars 1, thus forming a grate-like structure; Dependingfrom the lower side of the cover plate I, and preferably formed integrally with the bars 1, 'I provide a plurality of ribs or webs 8;"whichproject downwardly therefrom substantially: normal to the l plane of the cover plate.

The-lower extremity of 'each ribor web 8 is enlarged, as at-9, so that it has a. generally triangular shaped cross-section, thus providingllaterally projecting, oppositely inclined bailie surfaces l and -I l at the, respectively opposite sidesof the ribs or webs8.' As best seen in' Figures 2 and-4, the baffle surfaces l0, and, are substantially spaced below the slots 2 in the cover plate I, and each bafllesurface extends lat erally substantially to. a'point below the center of the slot 2 lying above the same; or about midway to the next rib. l V

In order to permit air to enter the slots 2 and pass freely downwardly therethrough between the ribs or webs 8 and around the bafile surfaces 9 and ill, the ribs or webs8' are preferably of different heights, thus disposing the baffle surfaces In and H at the lower'extremities of the respective ribs or webs 8 at-different elevations. As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the centralribior web extends substantially below each of the others,

and the: ribs :at respectively opposite sides thereof are progressively shorter in. height. space I2 between any two adjacent baffle surfaces l0 and l I, and between the respective baffle sur faces and their nearest rib or web 8, is preferably not'appreciably less than the width'of each slot- 2, thus permitting the fr'ee'passagerof air through the slots 2 and downwardly past the baffle surfaces: without substantial-Iobstruction or interference with such free flow. As shown in the drawingathe construction of-thevent cover described above is' the same at one:-side;of;a plane-- passing vertically through the center ofthe cover 'as at the other side, so that the ribs and. the

baffle surfaces formed at the lower extremities thereof are arranged in pairs, the corresponding the cover plate. Aswill'b'e best understood from reference to Figure 1, 'the' ribsorwebs- 8-run lengthwise of the bars l of the coverplate, but terminate at'their opposite extremities somewhat inwardly of the periphery ofithe cover plate; The coverplate is preferablyconstructed as a onepiece casting of brass, aluminum, iron or other since the material may be varied; as circumstances require or permit; v

.To facilitate the mountingofthe cover plate 1 I i n, theupp r e o even p pe; e e ab y Thus the ribs of each pair. beingrespectively locatedatopposite sides of the center of the plate, and the pairs, of ribs dependingdifferent distances belowmetal, but it is to be understood that I do notwish to be limited to any, particular material.

ing diametrically opposed lugs or bosses I5, [5

are provided within the head. I3 of the mounting collar 5, and these bosses have tapped openings [6; IE :to receive the fastening screws 4, 4 which serve to secure the cover plate I to the mounting collar, as will be best understood fromreference to Figure 4; The heads of the fastening screws 7 V 4, 4 are preferablyv countersunk in the cover plate I so that the entire assembly will present a perfectly flat smooth'surface at its upper end.

Depending below the headl3 of the mounting collar 5, is a sleeve o-r skirt I! having adiameter vent pipe-generally designated 6 in Figure 4.: The lower extremity l8 of the sleeve or. skirt Hispreferably turned inwardly for a purpose which will hereinafter more fully appear. As'inthe case somewhat larger than the diameter of a standard of thecover plate I the'mounting collar 5 is preferably composed of a one-piece metal casting, the

.when the cover plate is secured in position on the upper end of the mounting .collar.- In practice,

the cover platesl is applied: onto the mounting col-- lar 5 before the mounting collaris slipped: onto the vent pipe 6, and as the skirt orsleeve l'l of;

the mounting collar is slipped onto the vent pipe,v the central rib 8' of the cover plate will act. as a gauge through its abutting engagement with the upper edge of the vent pipe across whichthe rib extends diametrically. Thus, the centralf-irib positively prevents'the mounting collar. 5 from being moveddown'too-far on the end of the vent.

pipe, and assures the proper positioning of the collar on the vent pipe. When the collarhas' been positioned as just described, the cover plate I may then. be removed to permit the collar to besealed around-theupper end. of the vent pipe.

Any suitable packing materialmay be employed to-establish this seal, but I preferably pour molten lead between the skirt or sleeve I! and the vent pipe, as indicated, at l9 in..Figur-e 4: After the molten'lead has cooled and hardened, the mountingcollar 5'will be rigidly secured to the vent pipe, and all that is necessary tobe done to,com-- plete the installationof the vent-cover is toapply the cover plate I to the upper end of theJcollar and fasten the same to the collar by means of the screws 4,.4. When-the cover-plate I is somounted, the lower.endof the. central rib 8. will bear upontheupper edge ofthe vent pipe 6..

arrangement has a distinct advantaga-especiallywhen the upper face of-ttheucover plate Land mounting-collar are set flush in. the ground -.or, pavement where heavy bodies such astrucks or other vehicles may run over thersame; 'Should a-v heavy weight be imposed uponithe upper end; of the mounting collar 5 or upon the-upperface. of the cover plate I, the packing ldwould be:

loosened from the outer face of the vent pipe 6 or from the inner face of the skirt or sleeve H, and the mounting collar 5 would be forced down onto the end of the vent pipe excepting for the fact that this is effectively prevented by reason of the abutting engagement of the lower end of the central rib 8 with the upper edge of the vent pipe 6. Moreover, in addition to more effectively sustaining heavy weights which may be imposed upon the vent cover, thereby eliminating the likelihood of breaking the seal between the skirt of the mounting collar and the vent pipe, breaking or crushing of the cover plate I is minimized through reinforcement of the cover plate which is afforded by the plurality of ribs 8, and particularly, by the central rib which bears on the upper end of the vent pipe 6. I have found that my vent cover is better able to withstand crushing forces, and there will be considerably less breakage of the cover plates than is the case where the ordinary vent covers of the plain slotted or perforated plate type are employed. This feature alone is of great importance, and the utility and advantages of my improved vent cover are further enhanced by the employment of the baffle surfaces In and II formed at the lower extremities of the ribs 8, and which are so arranged as to prevent the insertion by mischievous children of sticks, stones and other foreign matter through the vent cover, while at the same time affording a passage of a size equal to the full area of the vent pipe for the free circulation of air through the vent cover. Not only does the vent cover prevent deliberate or purposeful attempts to insert sticks, stones and the like through the vent cover and into the vent pipe, but it also prevents such materials from gaining access to the vent pipe by accident or otherwise, as where the vent cover becomes submerged due to a, heavy rain, or melting snow or ice; In fact, my invention may be effectively used as a drain cover, in which case water or other fluids may freely flow through the cover plate while prohibiting the entrance of solids which would tend to clog up the drain.

While the specific details have been herein shown and described, the invention is not confined thereto, as changes and alterations may be made without departing from the spirit thereof as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. In a device of the class described, a collar member having a diameter somewhat greater than the diameter of a vent pipe or the like and adapted to be mounted thereon, a cover member adapted to be positioned across the open end of the collar member, said cover member having a plurality of openings therein arranged in spaced relation to each other and forming bars therebetween constituting a grate-like structure, and ribs depending from the bars aforesaid and each terminating at its lower extremity in the form of an enlargement substantially triangular in cross-section with two of the vertices respectively disposed at opposite sides of the center of the rib and in the same plane, whereby to form oppositely inclined baflle surfaces extending laterally in opposite directions from each rib.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ribs terminate at different distances below th cover member.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ribs progressively terminate at different distances below the cover member with the highest rib disposed substantially at the center of the cover member.

4. In a device of the class described, a collar member having a diameter somewhat greater than the diameter of a vent pipe or the like and adapted to be mounted thereon, a cover member adapted to be positioned across the open end of the collar member, said cover member having a plurality of substantially parallel slots therein extending transversely across the cover member with their opposite ends terminating adjacent to the periphery of the cover member, said slots forming bars therebetween constituting a gratelike structure, and ribs depending from the bars aforesaid and terminating at their lower extremities in the form of enlargements substantially triangular in cross-section whereby to form onpositely inclined baflle surfaces extending laterally in opposite directions from each rib, the bafiie surfaces aforesaid being spaced below the slots and terminating laterally substantially midway between the ribs and in spaced relation to the contiguous baiile surfaces whereby to provide a space therebetween at least as great as the area of the slots.

5. The combination with a vent pipe or the like, of a collar member having a larger diameter than the vent pipe and adapted to be mounted thereon and around the exterior of the end of the vent pipe, a cover member having a plurality of openings therein adapted to be positioned across the open end of the collar, and means depending from the lower side of said cover member for abutting engagement with the end of said vent pipe.

6. The combination with a vent pipe or the like, of a collar member having a larger diameter than the vent pipe and adapted to be mounted thereon, a cover member having a plurality of openings therein adapted to be positioned across the open end of the collar, and means depending from the lower side of said cover member for engaging the end of said vent pipe, said last named means comprising a rib arranged normal to the plane of the cover member and extending transversely thereacross and within the collar member.

7. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ribs terminate in pairs different distances below the cover member, one rib of each pair being located at the opposite side of a vertical plane passing through the center of the cover member from the corresponding rib of the same pair.

8. A cover for vent pipes and the like, comprising a plate having a plurality of spaced substantially parallel slots provided therein and forming bars therebetween constituting a gratelike structure, ribs depending from the lower side 

